President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Announced Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration

COP24 Katowice

President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Announced Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration

03 Dec 2018

Heads of states and governments participating in the UN global climate summit – COP24 – have adopted Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration. It was prepared by the Polish Presidency and announced on its behalf by President Andrzej Duda. The Declaration envisages reaching targets regarding climate protection, while simultaneously maintaining economic development and workplaces in the spirit of Solidarity’s heritage.

The supporters of the Declaration constituted pivotal moment of the heads of states and governments summit. The conference started today at 10.00 a.m. in the presence of, inter alia, President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. Until December 14, representatives of 196 states and the European Union will discuss how to reach targets set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Representatives of particular agendas and ministries, NGOs and business circles – 30,000 people in total – are also present at the summit.

The supporters of the Declaration constituted pivotal moment of the heads of states and governments summit. The conference started today at 10.00 a.m. in the presence of, inter alia, President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. Until December 14, representatives of 196 states and the European Union will discuss how to reach targets set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Representatives of particular agendas and ministries, NGOs and business circles – 30,000 people in total – are also present at the summit.

- Poland owes its democracy to the great social movement Solidarity which had originated from a trade union movement, from the fight for the workers’ rights, possibility to associate in free trade unions, from the fight for social rights. When preparing the declaration on just and solidary transition, we are referring to this heritage - stressed President Andrzej Duda. He pointed out to Upper Silesia – a region-symbol of the huge change accomplished in Poland, which allowed the country to co-shape today global climate protection policy and present own ambitious initiatives.

The supporters of the Declaration confirm that in order for the activities aimed at creating low-carbon economy to be successful, social approval for changes is crucial. Therefore, we must first and foremost ensure social security of workers, whose workplaces will be liquidated or transformed.

Solidarity, which the Declaration refers to, designates also mutual responsibility for the natural environment of all states from around the world. Firstly, negative consequences of climate change impact, although to different extent, all regions of the globe. Therefore, needs and expectations vary depending on whether the country is more or less developed, whether its location is safe or realistically threatened by e.g. constant rise of the sea and ocean level. However, the co-operation entails many new perspectives – of social, economic and scientific progress above all. Technological development which contributed to the pollution of the Earth may also cause its clearing by raising the standards of living conditions in any corner of the world.

- There is a reason why ‘Changing Together’ is the theme of this year’s climate summit. History shows us that by acting together, in the spirit of solidarity, we can achieve impossible things. I hope that the declaration on just transition, which we have adopted today, will inspire all the conference’s participants to search for best solutions for both - our climate as well as global community - stressed President Andrzej Duda.

Solidary and just transition is also the leitmotiv of the first day of functioning of the Polish Pavilion at COP24. Further thematic days will be devoted to: electromobility, innovations, forests, the issue of sustainable development of cities, financing climate policy, air quality and human dimension of climate change.

UN global climate summit – COP24 in Katowice will last until December 14.

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